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Rep. Chris Garrett, right, stepped down in December from the Legislature to join the Oregon Court of Appeals in February. The Lake Oswego Democrat's exit from the Legislature could trigger a round of political wrangling when Multnomah and Clackamas county commissioners choose a replacement.
(Michael Lloyd/The Oregonian)

Garrett stepped down last month so that he could accept an appointment to the Oregon Court of Appeals in February and next week Democrats in Multnomah and Clackamas counties will choose a slate of Democrats to replace him.

Patty O’Sullivan, a Lake Oswego resident and longtime lobbyist, is hoping to be on the list.

O’Sullivan said her background working for various state agencies as legislative director would give her the ability to jump right in to legislative work.

“With my experience and background I can hit the ground running on the first day,” O’Sullivan said.

For three decades O’Sullivan held government affairs positions for the Department of Administrative services and the Department of Human Services, among others. She currently runs her own lobbying firm, O’Sullivan and Associates with clients in the health care and mental health fields.

If chosen to replace Garrett, O’Sullivan said she’d make improving Oregon’s network of mental health services a priority, charting a clear path toward improving access to care for those who need it.

“I think we need a good look at our system itself,” O’Sullivan said. “Something is broken and we need to fix it.”

Democrats representing precincts in Garrett’s House District 38 will convene Jan. 15 to choose at least three and no more than five candidates to forward to county commissioners, who will choose the final replacement.

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